I must first feel a strong sense comfort with my potential client right from the beginning of the process. The initial meeting pretty much signals a match and a go... or that I should politely decline rather than risking hard feelings and placing both sides in a position of compromise an certain unhappiness in the end.
The fairly good colour photo references in this particular case... along with the very positive conversations with this couple made my decision to accept this commission feel positive for us both. I started the process by presenting the pen and ink quick study to them.. which presented a concept that they liked. I asked a number of extra questions about certain physical aspects of the photos which weren't exactly clear to me. When I received more input... I felt that I was ready to proceed. Well almost!
I decided to accurately draw the building because it was so unique architecturally... and I had sense after seeing their tastefully decorated home and other art that they had collected... that my rendering had best be "right on the money." After couple of false starts.. I had the house and supporting structure of the trees, road, etc. pretty much where I wanted it located. I then moved on confidently to the lay in process.
I blocked in the dark foliage around the home and quickly filled in basic values of the grass.. small trees and road shadows. I added a pale bluish purple to the various levels of the house itself... and finished by roughing in cloud shapes and sky colour. At this juncture... all of the canvas had some paint... no matter its correctness in value or hue even. This gave me a sense of the weight and strength of the various parts of the composition and design.
Today...I spent the entire day balancing greens in the trees and bringing our a variety of different values in the "white" of the house itself.I reworked shadowed areas on the road and in the tree masses until I was satisfied that there was transparency and balance in my values right across the entire picture surface. Finally...I added some smaller details with my rigger to give punch and lift out recognizable and important architectural details.
In looking at he painting this evening... I can see yet a few more areas to be dealt with tomorrow to bring things to a close. Overall... I feel that I have successfully captured the essence of this beautiful Victorian era Quebec homestead. I hope that it will please my clients! Fingers crossed!
Good Painting to ALL!
What a gorgeous homestead this is, Bruce! I was recently thinking about doing a house piece myself. My in-laws once asked me about it and I just may do it for a surprise.
ReplyDeleteWow Bruce, you nailed it, your client will be so very pleased. I love seeing your process from the pen and ink, the tonal sketch on canvas to the completed work. What I love about this painting, it gives the viewer a sense of being there, oh yes, they will be so pleased. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you,
Joan
If they don't like this then they are blind! This is lovely and has all the essence, as far as I can see, of the underlying energy and spirit of the place. it feels actually kind of light - no heaviness here - which I love.
ReplyDeleteI too have a problem with commissions...I do them but not as often as I used to. Something about it makes it seem more like drudgery at times and I hate worrying over whether or not the client is going to like it.
Hi there Sherry1... Glad that this post appealed to your creative "Muse"!
ReplyDeleteGet out your brushes... and give 'er a go! Might earn you some BIG points and respect with the in-laws! HA!HA!
Good luck with it! Thanks for dropping by and for the encouragement!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi there Joan!... Glad that the post was interesting and that it hits the mark as a success for you! Hope that it does or the clients as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and encouraging remarks!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi there Karen!... We all aim for that "essence" aspect in each piece of work we be into. Just replicating what is in front of you can never match that hard-to-get spiritual and emotional aspect in a subject.
ReplyDeleteI too...feel good about having caught that essence in the work in this commission., I like it.. regardless of how it may be received!
Thanks for dropping by and for adding your positive comments!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
I'm sure the clients will be delighted with this Bruce. As usual it's full of light and by having most of the house in shadow you have made effective use of the areas of white.
ReplyDeleteI have the same sorts of problems with commissions and, like Karen, I'm always nervous about how they will be received. Also I usually receive the commissions by email or telephone and rarely have direct contact with the clients. I wonder how you would feel about that Bruce, given that you like to form a relationship with them.
All the best,
Keith
Good evening Keith... Thanks for dropping by and for adding your interesting comments and thoughts about the commission!
ReplyDeleteLight and shadow are always of major interest and primary to me whenever I sketch or paint. They provide strength in any composition thou the contrast and dramatic effect they create when used side by side.
As for the commission business...we all have to formulate a process that makes us feel comfortable and confident to commence such undertakings. Fortunately... I am not quite as isolated from my marketplace and I frankly have not been commissioned from another remote part of the world, or even Canada at this point.
I elect to accept ONLY those commissions where I can meet face-to-face with my prospective client(s). On a few occasions that has resulted in one or both sides having to travel to the other. If that cannot be accomplished.. then the result is clearly obvious to both parties... without malice or hard feelings.This works for me... even at the cost of losing a few commissions...... but never face!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi, my name is Tiara. I'm 9 years old and I'm a painter too. Please visit my blog....www.gallerytiara.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHi there Tiara!...I loved the colour... movement and honesty that you have already at your disposal as a young artist!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your journey! Work hard and ...PAINT! PAINT!PAINT!!
Warmest regards,
Bruce Sherman